Mud fans' loss is live-music fans' gain. Because river cleaning has progressed, the draining of the San Antonio River downtown didn't happen last year and won't happen this year. So the Mud Festival and Parade is being replaced by RiverFest, a battle of the bands that will produce “The official band of the River Walk 2013.” The winning band will also get $1,000. Bands vying for the title and the dough Saturday are Broken Buffalo (above), Elementos, The Jonathan Garcia Band and Smokehouse Guitar Amy. With that lineup, patrons and judges will hear indie rock, acoustic Latin music, Americana and electric blues.

Fine print: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Arneson River Theatre, River Walk. Each band will perform a one-hour set between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Judging starts at 5. Free.